Went to the Grotto to light a candle for Kerri earlier this evening, then sat on one of the benches for a while, noticed the photogenic scene above, and snapped a picture of it. Pretty, eh? … Going to the Grotto always seems to put me in a philosophical mood, and this time was no exception. During the walk back to the car, I thought of two questions that I want to ask the Domers among my blog audience:
1) Two weeks ago, when I posted some cool pictures of “heavenly light” illuminating the inside of the Basillica, commenter 4-7 wrote an eloquent plea urging NDLS 3Ls to “breathe, breathe, breathe in Notre Dame” while we still have the chance. Apropos of that comment: what “must-see ND” sights/sounds/people/places/experiences should I, and other soon-to-be-alums, be sure to squeeze into our schedules during the course of the next 48 days? Is there a particularly serene, off-the-beaten-trail spot on campus that we should explore on some beautiful April day? An especially stellar dorm mass that we should attend? A uniquely wonderful study spot to try out? An uncommonly photogenic scene that simply must be captured on film? Anything, really, that we ought to check out while we’re still here? Keep in mind, we’re law students, so some of us rarely venture too far beyond the law school building, and thus we may not have seen certain ND sights that undergrads might consider passé. In other words, no suggestion is too obvious!
2) My second question is more detailed and, I guess, personal… and it’s geared specifically toward Notre Dame Catholics who are familiar with the priests on campus. Pretend for a moment that you are a lapsed Catholic / agnostic who wants to take the opportunity, before leaving this fine institution, to have a conversation with one of Notre Dame’s priests about — well — faith, God, the afterlife, all that sort of thing. Ideally, this priest would be the sort who can engage in a philosophical discussion about spiritual issues without getting overly dogmatic or, for lack of a better term, prosthelytizing. Really, I just want to chat, and I figure ND’s priests are smart, spiritual guys… and as long as I have unsettled thoughts swirling around in my head about faith and such, I might as well talk to one of them about it while I’m here. Anyway, whom would you choose? Is there a particular priest or priests who would be highly recommended for such a conversation? And, uh, how does one go about scheduling a random conversation with a random priest? ;) Okay, I can probably figure out that last part, mostly I just want recommendations of names…
If you want to respond by e-mail, instead of in comments, you can write to me at bloy [at] nd.edu.
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Categories: Notre Dame
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April 2nd, 2007 at 1:36:29 am
Brendan,
As to the first question, go the to North side of St. Joseph lake on a clear evening at sunset. When you reach the knoll at Moreau Seminary, turn and look at the campus skyline as the dim light of the fading sun glistens on the Golden Dome. The view is beyond breathtaking. I went for a jog every evening last summer while I was working in South Bend. Each time that I turned to see this spectacular view, I felt an indescribable conviction that coming to Notre Dame for law school was the best decision that I have ever made. It’s a scene that defines this wonderful university and allows you to appreciate the unparalleled beauty of campus. That may sound trite or cliche, but it’s something you simply have to see to understand.
April 2nd, 2007 at 2:07:39 am
One thing I would do is present myself to Fr. Hesburgh. Call his office and ask if he would see you. If he won’t schedule 15 minutes for you, go to the Good Friday service. He could take part and you could approach him after the service.
The easy answer to your second q is to contact Campus Ministry and detail your need/request. They will point you in the right direction. Of course, you could always hang out around the Corby porch and see if an encounter with a random priest may lead to something meaningful.
If you do manage to meet with Fr. Ted, perhaps he could offer an answer to your second q, as well.
April 2nd, 2007 at 4:02:08 am
Once you have decided on a priest, my advice is to just call/e-mail/talk to them and ask when they are free, most priests are more than willing to make time to discuss faith and God with people, lapsed or not :) Its kinda their job, and beyond that its something most enjoy.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:17:39 am
Father Ted. Father Ted. Father Ted.
You have in one man a incredible history not only of Notre Dame but of this country, from a guy who was asked to be the head of NASA to a guy who walked in the civil rights marches and told Presidents they were wrong. Leaving ND without getting your 15 minutes of face time with Father H. would be a shame.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:44:09 am
Fr. Kevin Rousseau (sp). I never took the time for the chat. but I always liked him.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:56:00 am
Agreed with the other posters on Fr. ted. He’s a pretty amazing guy.
As far as the spot on campus to spend a few minutes, Patrick’s suggestion is a pretty good one. In addition, over on St. Mary’s lake, over by Carroll, if walking west away from campus on the trail around the lake, there’s a turn off the trail towards the lake before you reach the old basketball court here that takes you into a little clearing. The view from campus over there is one of my favorite (and very good picnic spot as well).
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:43:54 am
Other than Fr. Ted, Father McBrien and Father Daley would also be two good choices.
As far as sights go, there’s one I can think of that’s just plain amusing. There’s a little island in St. Joseph’s lake where I think some of the biology people do some sort of plant research. Anyways, the only way onto this island is a little path that is blocked by this huge gate. It’s on the south side of the lake, just across the street from the Basilica parking lot. It’s not beautiful, but it is funny to see this 3ft wide gate blocking a 6in path.
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:05:32 am
Talk to Fr. Brian Daley, S.J. in the Theology Department.
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:14:54 am
I really like Fr. Joe Carey in University Ministry.
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:50:31 am
Father Doyle, the rector of Dillon Hall, is a fantastic priest to talk to.
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:17:44 am
1) Ever done bookstore basketball or seen a bookstore game? The costumes/debauchery can be amazing.
2) Ever been to a Legend’s concert? I’d recommend Flogging Molly coming up next month I believe.
3) Ever sat on the front swing of Sorin College on a nice spring day with the woman you love?
4) Ever walked around the lakes or fed the ducks? Yes, these are small things that can be fun.
5) Ever eaten quarter dogs at LaFortune after midnight? That’s a stomach ache you wouldn’t forget.
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:03:20 am
Q2: Is Fr. Coughlin still at the law school? He’s a great guy, and someone who can talk on a serious, personal level about the Catholic faith.
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:42:50 am
Find a good day and drive up to the Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan to check out the dunes at Lake Michigan. Easy 40 ride help gets you to tower hill to soak in the scenary and climb the dunes. If it’s closed you can continue on down the road and park on a side road and hike into the dunes - pretty cool and the scenary can be beautiful.
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:22:30 pm
Two words for you Brendan: Bun Run. It happens during finals week and if you go over to Lafortune to watch, sometimes people will lock/block the exits. The hilarity of watching 100 naked college guys trying to find a way out a closed building is always pretty good.
I’m not sure this counts as “breathing in Notre Dame” but you probably won’t have a chance to see mass streaking in the legal world anytime soon.
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:08:54 pm
Ahh… i took part in blocking the exits once. The Zahm rector tried to get all of us Siegfreid guy sin trouble for it, but saw no problem with his dorm’s occupants running through the student center naked.
As far as priests go, Fr. Ted is always a good answer. I believe Fr. Eugene Gorski is still around. He’s one of those priests that’s been around the block and isn’t out of touch with reality (although he is aging a bit). I also highly recommend talking to Prof. Cavadini. I can’t recallhis first name off hand, but he’s a big wig in Theology department. Very, very knowledgeable about the church (not just Catholic) and it’s greater meaning in life.
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:19:08 pm
Go for a jog around the lakes, and bring your wife, too.
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:35:12 pm
I would actually put Father Ted on more of the ‘things to see’ list instead of the ‘priest to talk to’ as he is getting a bit older and, well….you’ll see….
A few other sites:
The Dunes in Michigan City (or Warren Dunes, or some others). Kind of neat.
The Kitty Kat lounge in downtown South Bend. You have to go because it was a very famous First Amendment course. You need to do some .. umm… research there.. Yea, research :-) (is it still even open?)
The riverboats in Gary. It’s how I financed much of my third year of law school.
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:25:01 pm
No need to go too far. Try Fr. Coughlin.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:08:47 pm
When I was working at ND when I first got to South Bend, I used to feed the ducks on my lunch break and toodle around the lakes. They’re very pretty and those ducks rock…although the swans can be a little intimidating.
As for the Lake Michigan dunes, I’d have to find someone who’s been to either the bitchin sand dunes on the Oregon coast or the Sleeping Bear dunes in Traverse City, MI to get comparison thoughts.
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:35:01 pm
Fr. Brian Daley - definitely talk to Brian Daley.
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:50:23 pm
Heck, get more than one. I had Daley in confession before, I think. He seemed pretty good, but never had a face-to-face convo. I would go one non-Coughlin and then the Coughlin. The man is brilliant, very in touch with the otherworld - trust me. A guy who lets loose an involuntary mumble during post-communion reflective prayer has a foot or toe in the deep end. John Paul II was the same way. As orthodox as most probably (and properly) perceive the Coughlin to be, I don’t think he would be dogmatic or proselytizing in convo. It’s hard for me to think of a great local Catholic conservative thinker who did not engage and explore in conversation.
April 2nd, 2007 at 10:52:41 pm
First of all, your instinct is right. Don’t delay pursuing the most important matters in life (i.e. why we are here and what this life is all about). Even though you’ll never fully resolve these issues, at least be willing to constantly pursue and live into the questions. Also, just say a simple prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal himself to you if he really exists and to illumine your mind and heart. See what happens.
Second, there have been a lot of good suggestions about various people to seek out on campus. A lot will depend on the type of personality you are interested in finding. I would second Prof. Cavadini for a non-priest/early Church patristic perspective, Fr. Daley for an Ignatian spirituality perspective, or Fr. Coughlin for an intellectual/doctrinal perspective. Based on your post, I’d say Fr. Daley might be the way to go. He’s in the Theology Department. Just send him an email or better yet call him in his office. He’s very busy but a very caring man and will make time to talk.
Third, read Frank Sheed’s “Theology and Sanity.” Hesbergh Library has copies. If you want to understand the whole of the Catholic faith, there is no better single source in my humble opinion. (Okay, except for the Bible and the Catechism of course.)
April 3rd, 2007 at 2:35:08 pm
Check out Rolfs, too. Not a bad idea to visit places you’ve never been before.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:06:28 am
You only need two words: Paul Doyle.
Am I the only person who thought Fr. Coughlin was an asshole?
April 6th, 2007 at 12:39:38 am
I like Father John Conley. You might also try reading some books by GK Chesterton, CS Lewis or for the more basic introduction to Christianity, Lee Strobel.
I don’t like Fr Coughlin much either.